1. A respectful form of address to a woman when the actual name is not known: In answer to her questions, the youth spoke respectfully, addressing her as Madam.
2. The female head of a house of prostitution: The madam of the brothel also ran a bar to serve wine, beer, and liquor.
3. When capitalized, used to designate rank or position of a woman in a business or governmental context: Madam Chairperson, will you please begin the meeting.

Term of reference and address to a woman who is not from an English-speaking country: The concierge asked, "Please, Madame, would you like me to order a taxi for you?"

One can get into some very sticky social situations by addressing an older woman of great dignity as "madame" if she is not aware of the nuances between being addressed as "madam" and being referred to as a "madam".

1. A woman servant: Debora hired a maid to help out at the large gathering in the garden.
2. An unmarried young woman: The young maid was imaginative and she often imagined what her future would be like.

1. A piece of iron or steel which produces an attracting power which draws smaller pieces of iron, steel, etc. to it: Luis picked up the scattered nails on the floor by using a magnet.
2. That which attracts: The seashore was a magnet for holiday vacationers.

The presence of the famed industrial magnate was a powerful magnet for other industrialists to attend the symphony fund raising event.

1. Items that are sent by the post from one location to another: I checked the postbox to see if the mail had arrived this morning.
2. Armour, a protective covering made of metal, or the hard covering of an animal: When going to battle, knights often wore mail to protect themselves.

The turtle has a hard shell, like mail, that helps to protect it from harm; so, the mail of the turtle protects it from predators.

1. Masculine, men, opposite of female: The male sprinter won the race by only a second or two.
2. Characteristic of men, or being masculine: Many sports that were considered appropriate only for a male player are now being played by women.

The man's wife was complaining that there was nothing in the postbox except more male mail.

Because he was expecting some delicately contentious mail, the often flirtatious male in the office commented he’d better put on his mail before opening his daily mail.

A secretary was talking with a colleague, "I hate junk mail."
Her fellow worker responded with, "Me, too, and there's one now," as she nodded toward her boss as he was just entering the office [referring to him as, "junk male"].

A woman likes a male best who has a will of his own . . . made out in her name.

One of the fifty states comprising the United States: Trudy's summer cottage is on the coast of Maine.

The man found a shaggy mare in the country side of Maine and with might and main, he tried to trim her mane.

"What is the principal part of a horse?"

"The principal part? The mane, of course.

A male lion is the only cat with a mane.

"Lion researchers have observed that many male lions with short manes had suffered from injury or sickness; while by contrast, dark-maned males tended to be older than the others, have higher testosterone levels, heal well after being wounded, and sire more surviving cubs; all of which made them more desirable mates and formidable foes."

"A mane, it seems, signals vital information about a male lion's fighting ability and health to mates and rivals."

—This information came from
"The Truth about Lions" by Abigail Tucker;Smithsonian magazine; January, 2010; page 30.

1. The age by which one receives and assumes civic responsibilities: The first thing Jerome did when he achieved the age of majority was to register to vote in the next election.
2. The greater number, by at least one, when counting the total of something: The majority of the class decided to go to the football game instead of staying in the library.

1. A segment of population which does not share characteristics of the larger population: The new immigrants were a minority in the large city.
2. A group which is comprised of a smaller number than another group the combination of which represents the total size of the something: A minority attending the public meeting did not want the new bridge to be built.

1. A larger or greater number of people: The plurality of the townspeople wanted to build a swimming pool in the park.
2. The number of votes needed to elect an official that is not 50% of the total votes cast but is more than the total votes cast for either of two or more other candidates: Shanna was elected by a narrow plurality of five.

The majority of the city population had reached their majority and could therefore participate in elections; as a result, their candidate received a plurality of votes. The minority population looked forward to gaining their majority in the next year or two.

1. An urban shopping center, often enclosed to protect shoppers from the weather: Going to the mall is one of my favorite things to do on Saturday.
2. A grassy public park, typically for pedestrian use: Shanna strolled down the mall and enjoyed the beauty of the flowering trees.

A woman companion of a gunman or gangster: The crook's moll told the police where the gang was hiding.

The gangster's moll decided to go to the mall for the New Year's sales; however, she immediately went back home because she noticed that the mall was packed with so many people and she didn't want anyone to maul her during the excitement of the sales.

The illegal or unlawful killing of an individual: The woman was convicted of manslaughter for purposely running the man down with her car and so she was sent to prison.

Is it really possible that some people feel that a man's laughter can be more disturbing than manslaughter?

manila, manilla, Minila, Manilla; vanilla

manila, manilla (muh NIL uh)

1. A strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth finish, usually buff or light brown in color, made from Manila or Manilla hemp or wood fibers similar to it: The manila envelope is an envelope designed for transporting documents and it is made of thick, durable paper and sized so that full sheets of paper can fit inside without being folded.
2. When capitalized, the capital and largest city of the Philippines; located in Southern Luzon: Manila is a city and it should not be confused with another term known as Manila paper [one "l"] or Manilla paper [two "l's"].

vanilla (vuh NIL uh)

A food flavoring extract prepared from the cured seedpods of a plant or produced synthetically: Christa and Ralph preferred ice cream that is made with genuine vanilla, not the synthetic stuff.

How could anyone possibly confuse a manila, manilla envelope with a vanilla envelope, you may ask?

Well, it seems that a reporter on the radio mixed up the two by referring to a vanilla envelope and someone called in to report the obvious error to the program's moderators the next day and stated that there is a big difference between manila, manilla paper and a non-existent vanilla paper; unless someone had produced an envelope with vanilla flavor.

1. A method of artistic presentation: Wearing tweeds and high boots, Bert's presentation was in the manner of a country gentry.
2. Social conduct: Tamika tried to imitate the manner of a famous actress.
3. Good and appropriate behavior: The manner of Patricia's new neighbor was very friendly.

1. In certain North American colonies, land which someone could rent from another authorized person for a fixed rate: The manor that Dale's father rented was large enough to raise a herd of cattle.
2. The house on an estate: The manor at the site was large and gracious.

Bernhart wanted to be polite with his guests when they came to his luxurious house; so, he decided to establish an etiquette for his mansion which he called "a manor with a good manner" because he wanted people to know that his manor's manners were superior.

1. A loose sleeveless coat worn over outer garments; a cloak: When Marvin went to the opera, he wore an elegant mantle instead of a coat.
2. Something that covers, envelops, or conceals: Looking up into the sky was like looking at a dark blue mantle covering the earth.

A tragedy almost happened when the glamorous opera star, wearing an elegant mantle, leaned against the mantel of the fireplace and her mantle almost caught on fire.